{"id":372253,"date":"2018-08-20T16:53:54","date_gmt":"2018-08-20T21:53:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-burglary-laws.html"},"modified":"2026-06-02T10:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T15:30:22","slug":"district-of-columbia-burglary-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/dc-law\/district-of-columbia-burglary-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"District of Columbia Burglary Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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District of Columbia Burglary Laws<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Burglary in the District of Columbia<\/span> is the unlawful entry<\/span> into a building with intent to commit a crime inside. DC divides burglary into first-degree<\/span> (entering an occupied dwelling) and second-degree<\/span> (entering an unoccupied building), both felony offenses<\/span>. First-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> carries between five and 30 years imprisonment<\/span> and up to $75,000 in fines, while second-degree<\/span> carries between two and 15 years and up to $37,500 in fines.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n

While burglary conjures images of someone breaking into a stranger\u2019s house in the middle of the night to steal their cash, jewelry, and other valuables, the laws cover more than that example. Long ago, under common law<\/a>, burglary involved someone breaking and entering<\/span> into a dwelling at night with the purpose of committing a crime.<\/p>\n

Today, most jurisdictions<\/span> have broadened the definition of this criminal offense<\/span> by removing the requirement that it be committed at night. It\u2019s also been expanded to include any building, not just a dwelling.<\/p>\n

This article examines and explains the burglary laws<\/span> in the District of Columbia<\/span>, including the penalties and possible defenses. If you\u2019re facing burglary charges<\/span>, consider speaking with a criminal defense attorney<\/span><\/a> to discuss your case. With so much at stake, having an expert on your side can make a huge difference.<\/p>\n

How Does the District of Columbia<\/span> Define the Crime of Burglary?<\/h2>\n

While it isn\u2019t as serious as homicide<\/a>, lawmakers in the District of Columbia<\/span> treat burglary as a serious offense<\/span>. A conviction for burglary may result in up to 30 years\u2019 imprisonment<\/span> and fines of up to $250,000.<\/p>\n

The criminal laws in Washington, D.C<\/span><\/a>. define burglary as unlawfully entering a building with the intent to commit a crime. They go a step further by dividing the crime into first-degree<\/span> and second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Under\u00a0DC Code<\/span>, a person is guilty of burglary in the\u00a0first degree<\/span>\u00a0when they unlawfully enter an occupied dwelling with the intent to commit any crime inside<\/a>. For a second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> charge<\/span>, a person must have the same intent while entering an unoccupied building or structure.<\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t matter if the secondary crime is completed or not. A person can be convicted of burglary even if they don’t successfully commit the intended crime. The unlawful entry<\/span> with criminal intent is sufficient for a burglary charge<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Difference Between First- and Second-Degree<\/span> Burglary<\/span><\/h2>\n

The primary difference between first-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> and second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> is whether the building is occupied at the time of entry<\/span>. If there are people present, the offender will face first-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> charges<\/span><\/a>. If there are no people in the building, the individual will face second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> charges<\/span>.<\/p>\n

Whether or not someone is inside the building at the time of a burglary, the crime is a\u00a0felony. There are no misdemeanor burglary cases<\/span><\/a>\u00a0in the District of Columbia<\/span>. While both degrees are serious offenses<\/span>, penalties for first-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span> are much more severe than those for\u00a0second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span>.<\/p>\n

What Are the Penalties for Committing a Burglary in D.C.?<\/h2>\n

As in most states, the penalties for burglary in the District of Columbia<\/span> are stiff. Not only will a conviction result in a lengthy\u00a0prison sentence<\/a>, but it will also require the payment of significant fines.<\/p>\n

The penalties for first- and second-degree<\/span> burglary<\/span><\/a> in Washington, D.C<\/span>. are as follows:<\/p>\n